HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition - Hewlett Packard

This is a discussion on HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition - Hewlett Packard ; For the many posts that have expressed frustration I make this
contribution. I too was equally frustrated after spending many hours
attempting to install a new Maxtor SATA drive in my Pavilion 630n (the
original drive failed). After approaching the ...

HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition

For the many posts that have expressed frustration I make this
contribution. I too was equally frustrated after spending many hours
attempting to install a new Maxtor SATA drive in my Pavilion 630n (the
original drive failed). After approaching the task from every possible
angle using the 15+ years of experience working in the field I resolved
myself to chat online with a HP support technician. The chat session
(partial transcript below) was very enlightening as is revealed that HP
motherboards utilize a proprietary disk management partition. Basically
without the partition you cannot install XP even from the HP System
Recovery CD's (which also do not the disk management software). The end
of the matter is if you have a hard disk go bad in an HP Pavilion you
MUST use an HP authorized service center as the disk management
software is not publicly available. So regardless of whether your
system is under warranty or not you must pay HP to have it fixed. You
other option is to purchase a replacement non-HP motherboard.

Any attempts to install XP on a drive without the disk management
partition will result in file copy errors. At various points during the
XP installation the install will hang indicating that a particular file
could not be copied. The end result is the OS will not load
successfully.

Partial HP Transcript:

Jay Geraghty: checking hold on
Jay Geraghty: it is out of warranty I know that
Ralph S: In that case you may need to take the computer to a nearest
authorized service center.
Jay Geraghty: did that and they could not figure it out (Best Buy)
Jay Geraghty: about 6 months ago I had a similar problem and they
replaced the main board
Jay Geraghty: now I am having the same problem again??
Jay Geraghty: are these machines problematic?
Ralph S: You may need to take the computer to a HP Authorized service
provider so that they install a utilities in your computer and resolve
the issue.
Jay Geraghty: what utilities? are they not on the restore CD's
Ralph S: No, they can be installed by the authorized service provider.
Jay Geraghty: would you suspect the main board it light of the
symptoms?
Jay Geraghty: it light of it being out of warranty would I be better
off just getting a new machine or main board?
Ralph S: You can get a new motherboard.
Jay Geraghty: I have been reading similar problems online with other
Pavilion owners
Jay Geraghty: seems like a weak line of machines
Jay Geraghty: no real explaination of why this issue repeats itself
Jay Geraghty: have you seen this issue with other customers
Ralph S: No we have not seen this issue, this issue happened because
DMI utility is not installed in the new harddisk.
Jay Geraghty: the restore CD's don't install the util?
Ralph S: No, they will not install the DMI utility.
Jay Geraghty: can I download?
Ralph S: Sorry for the delay.
Ralph S: The utility is not available for download.
Jay Geraghty: so basically a hard disk cannot successfuly be installed
into an HP Pavilion without using a service provider
Jay Geraghty: because of the DIM util?
Ralph S: Yes. You are correct.
Ralph S: It is a disk management utility.
Jay Geraghty: WOW, that stinks - really restricts your customer base
wouldn't you agree?
Ralph S: I do understand. The HP authorized provider can install this
utility in your computer.
Jay Geraghty: yeah for $$ - so basically an individual cannot repqir
their own machine when it is out of warranty
Ralph S: yes, it can be rectified you need to install the DMI utility,
however only HP authorized service provider could do it. Once you take
the system to them they would install it.,
Jay Geraghty: okay, thx for your candid responses Ralph. It has been
very enlightening yet sad

Re: HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition

More great news from hp. I have been complaining about recovery disc
problems, for nothing! The very reason that I want them is for hard drive
failure and they won't work without utility software that I can't get . This
along with the driver difficulty makes it clear to me that hp does not want
me to be able to repair this machine.

Re: HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition

wrote in message
news:1135973972.615095.233990@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> For the many posts that have expressed frustration I make this
> contribution. I too was equally frustrated after spending many hours
> attempting to install a new Maxtor SATA drive in my Pavilion 630n (the
> original drive failed). After approaching the task from every possible
> angle using the 15+ years of experience working in the field I resolved
> myself to chat online with a HP support technician. The chat session
> (partial transcript below) was very enlightening as is revealed that HP
> motherboards utilize a proprietary disk management partition. Basically
> without the partition you cannot install XP even from the HP System
> Recovery CD's (which also do not the disk management software). The end
> of the matter is if you have a hard disk go bad in an HP Pavilion you
> MUST use an HP authorized service center as the disk management
> software is not publicly available. So regardless of whether your
> system is under warranty or not you must pay HP to have it fixed. You
> other option is to purchase a replacement non-HP motherboard.
>
> Any attempts to install XP on a drive without the disk management
> partition will result in file copy errors. At various points during the
> XP installation the install will hang indicating that a particular file
> could not be copied. The end result is the OS will not load
> successfully.
>
> Partial HP Transcript:
>
> Jay Geraghty: checking hold on
> Jay Geraghty: it is out of warranty I know that
> Ralph S: In that case you may need to take the computer to a nearest
> authorized service center.
> Jay Geraghty: did that and they could not figure it out (Best Buy)
> Jay Geraghty: about 6 months ago I had a similar problem and they
> replaced the main board
> Jay Geraghty: now I am having the same problem again??
> Jay Geraghty: are these machines problematic?
> Ralph S: You may need to take the computer to a HP Authorized service
> provider so that they install a utilities in your computer and resolve
> the issue.
> Jay Geraghty: what utilities? are they not on the restore CD's
> Ralph S: No, they can be installed by the authorized service provider.
> Jay Geraghty: would you suspect the main board it light of the
> symptoms?
> Jay Geraghty: it light of it being out of warranty would I be better
> off just getting a new machine or main board?
> Ralph S: You can get a new motherboard.
> Jay Geraghty: I have been reading similar problems online with other
> Pavilion owners
> Jay Geraghty: seems like a weak line of machines
> Jay Geraghty: no real explaination of why this issue repeats itself
> Jay Geraghty: have you seen this issue with other customers
> Ralph S: No we have not seen this issue, this issue happened because
> DMI utility is not installed in the new harddisk.
> Jay Geraghty: the restore CD's don't install the util?
> Ralph S: No, they will not install the DMI utility.
> Jay Geraghty: can I download?
> Ralph S: Sorry for the delay.
> Ralph S: The utility is not available for download.
> Jay Geraghty: so basically a hard disk cannot successfuly be installed
> into an HP Pavilion without using a service provider
> Jay Geraghty: because of the DIM util?
> Ralph S: Yes. You are correct.
> Ralph S: It is a disk management utility.
> Jay Geraghty: WOW, that stinks - really restricts your customer base
> wouldn't you agree?
> Ralph S: I do understand. The HP authorized provider can install this
> utility in your computer.
> Jay Geraghty: yeah for $$ - so basically an individual cannot repqir
> their own machine when it is out of warranty
> Ralph S: yes, it can be rectified you need to install the DMI utility,
> however only HP authorized service provider could do it. Once you take
> the system to them they would install it.,
> Jay Geraghty: okay, thx for your candid responses Ralph. It has been
> very enlightening yet sad
>
I find HP support a waste of time.

Re: HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition

wrote in message
news:1135973972.615095.233990@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> For the many posts that have expressed frustration I make this
> contribution. I too was equally frustrated after spending many hours
> attempting to install a new Maxtor SATA drive in my Pavilion 630n (the
> original drive failed). After approaching the task from every possible
> angle using the 15+ years of experience working in the field I resolved
> myself to chat online with a HP support technician. The chat session
> (partial transcript below) was very enlightening as is revealed that HP
> motherboards utilize a proprietary disk management partition. Basically
> without the partition you cannot install XP even from the HP System
> Recovery CD's (which also do not the disk management software). The end
> of the matter is if you have a hard disk go bad in an HP Pavilion you
> MUST use an HP authorized service center as the disk management
> software is not publicly available. So regardless of whether your
> system is under warranty or not you must pay HP to have it fixed. You
> other option is to purchase a replacement non-HP motherboard.
>
> Any attempts to install XP on a drive without the disk management
> partition will result in file copy errors. At various points during the
> XP installation the install will hang indicating that a particular file
> could not be copied. The end result is the OS will not load
> successfully.
>
> Partial HP Transcript:
>
> Jay Geraghty: checking hold on
> Jay Geraghty: it is out of warranty I know that
> Ralph S: In that case you may need to take the computer to a nearest
> authorized service center.
> Jay Geraghty: did that and they could not figure it out (Best Buy)
> Jay Geraghty: about 6 months ago I had a similar problem and they
> replaced the main board
> Jay Geraghty: now I am having the same problem again??
> Jay Geraghty: are these machines problematic?
> Ralph S: You may need to take the computer to a HP Authorized service
> provider so that they install a utilities in your computer and resolve
> the issue.
> Jay Geraghty: what utilities? are they not on the restore CD's
> Ralph S: No, they can be installed by the authorized service provider.
> Jay Geraghty: would you suspect the main board it light of the
> symptoms?
> Jay Geraghty: it light of it being out of warranty would I be better
> off just getting a new machine or main board?
> Ralph S: You can get a new motherboard.
> Jay Geraghty: I have been reading similar problems online with other
> Pavilion owners
> Jay Geraghty: seems like a weak line of machines
> Jay Geraghty: no real explaination of why this issue repeats itself
> Jay Geraghty: have you seen this issue with other customers
> Ralph S: No we have not seen this issue, this issue happened because
> DMI utility is not installed in the new harddisk.
> Jay Geraghty: the restore CD's don't install the util?
> Ralph S: No, they will not install the DMI utility.
> Jay Geraghty: can I download?
> Ralph S: Sorry for the delay.
> Ralph S: The utility is not available for download.
> Jay Geraghty: so basically a hard disk cannot successfuly be installed
> into an HP Pavilion without using a service provider
> Jay Geraghty: because of the DIM util?
> Ralph S: Yes. You are correct.
> Ralph S: It is a disk management utility.
> Jay Geraghty: WOW, that stinks - really restricts your customer base
> wouldn't you agree?
> Ralph S: I do understand. The HP authorized provider can install this
> utility in your computer.
> Jay Geraghty: yeah for $$ - so basically an individual cannot repqir
> their own machine when it is out of warranty
> Ralph S: yes, it can be rectified you need to install the DMI utility,
> however only HP authorized service provider could do it. Once you take
> the system to them they would install it.,
> Jay Geraghty: okay, thx for your candid responses Ralph. It has been
> very enlightening yet sad
>

Re: HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition

As I noted before, a Windows XP install CD plus the drivers on the HP web site
as identified by other people will enable you to get the system working again.
Exactly like it left the factory? No, but close enough.

As for hard drive diagnostics, I always advocate using the diagnostic software
available from the drive manufacturer's web site. For Toshiba drives, use the
Hitachi Drive Fitness Test, because Toshiba does not care enough about its
customers to supply a Toshiba diagnostic... Ben Myers

On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 22:28:59 -0800, "til" wrote:
>More great news from hp. I have been complaining about recovery disc
>problems, for nothing! The very reason that I want them is for hard drive
>failure and they won't work without utility software that I can't get . This
>along with the driver difficulty makes it clear to me that hp does not want
>me to be able to repair this machine.
>
>

Re: HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition

wrote in message
news:43b6f0ac.339949@nntp.charter.net...
> As I noted before, a Windows XP install CD plus the drivers on the HP web
> site
> as identified by other people will enable you to get the system working
> again.
> Exactly like it left the factory? No, but close enough.
>
> As for hard drive diagnostics, I always advocate using the diagnostic
> software
> available from the drive manufacturer's web site. For Toshiba drives, use
> the
> Hitachi Drive Fitness Test, because Toshiba does not care enough about its
> customers to supply a Toshiba diagnostic... Ben Myers

Thanks Ben, I will put as many drivers as I can come up with on a CD.
Forget all the garbage from the original install. As long as I can install
xp, that is what I prefer anyway. Would I copy the drivers to c:\ , using
dos, before installing xp? Til

Re: HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition

No. Install XP first, preferably with NTFS, which would make it impossible to
copy the drivers with DOS anyway. Then insert the CD with the drivers. Install
any chipset drivers FIRST, otherwise the install of the other drivers may not
work... Ben Myers

On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 16:42:22 -0800, "til" wrote:
>
> wrote in message
>news:43b6f0ac.339949@nntp.charter.net...
>> As I noted before, a Windows XP install CD plus the drivers on the HP web
>> site
>> as identified by other people will enable you to get the system working
>> again.
>> Exactly like it left the factory? No, but close enough.
>>
>> As for hard drive diagnostics, I always advocate using the diagnostic
>> software
>> available from the drive manufacturer's web site. For Toshiba drives, use
>> the
>> Hitachi Drive Fitness Test, because Toshiba does not care enough about its
>> customers to supply a Toshiba diagnostic... Ben Myers
>
>Thanks Ben, I will put as many drivers as I can come up with on a CD.
>Forget all the garbage from the original install. As long as I can install
>xp, that is what I prefer anyway. Would I copy the drivers to c:\ , using
>dos, before installing xp? Til
>
>

Re: HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition

wrote in message
news:43b77b85.1082422@nntp.charter.net...
> No. Install XP first, preferably with NTFS, which would make it
> impossible to
> copy the drivers with DOS anyway. Then insert the CD with the drivers.
> Install
> any chipset drivers FIRST, otherwise the install of the other drivers may
> not
> work... Ben Myers

I downloaded CDBurnerXP Pro and made a CD boot disc which gives me access to
DrDos. Won't this be functional (it appears that it is functional) and
can't I run virus scans from there, such as F-prot? I have access to the cd
writer. What you are saying is I won't be able to copy or delete files to
the NTFS partition? or use DOS on the NTFS partition? I hope I am not
messing this thread up, maybe this will be useful to the OP. Thanks much.
Til

Re: HP Pavilion Disk Management Partition

To recap:

Windows XP runs best with an NTFS file system, which is more reliable than the
alternative FAT32. So, if you intend to reinstall Windows XP, first make sure
you have an NTFS partition. The Windows install CD can do this for you
automatically, early in the installation process.

If you create a DOS FAT32 partition for the drivers, and copy the drivers into
that area, you'll end up with a largely wasted FAT32 partition. Or you can
create a dual-boot system, booting either Windows XP or DRDOS. (How to do
dual-boot is beyond the scope of my response.)

But, honestly, there is nothing to be gained by having the drivers in their own
partition as long as you have a CD with the drivers on them.

If you intend to run F-Prot or any other anti-virus software from the DOS world,
you also need to have a DOS driver to read from and write to (to remove the
viruses) the NTFS partition. AFAIK, Sysinternals is the only company that sells
a DOS-mode NTFS file system driver. If you really and truly want to be able to
run A-V software from DOS, then set up the system from the outset with a FAT32
partition... Ben Myers

On Sun, 1 Jan 2006 13:06:16 -0800, "til" wrote:
> wrote in message
>news:43b77b85.1082422@nntp.charter.net...
>> No. Install XP first, preferably with NTFS, which would make it
>> impossible to
>> copy the drivers with DOS anyway. Then insert the CD with the drivers.
>> Install
>> any chipset drivers FIRST, otherwise the install of the other drivers may
>> not
>> work... Ben Myers
>
>I downloaded CDBurnerXP Pro and made a CD boot disc which gives me access to
>DrDos. Won't this be functional (it appears that it is functional) and
>can't I run virus scans from there, such as F-prot? I have access to the cd
>writer. What you are saying is I won't be able to copy or delete files to
>the NTFS partition? or use DOS on the NTFS partition? I hope I am not
>messing this thread up, maybe this will be useful to the OP. Thanks much.
>Til
>